Wednesday, October 29, 2008

My colleague, Mary, and I dubbed yesterday the Best Day Ever!! Out of the blue we received an early dismissal from school. I took advantage of this extra time and immediately called my husband...

I met my husband for lunch at our favorite little pizza shop. I miss having lunch with my husband during the school year. During the summer he comes home for lunch practically everyday, unless he's working out of town. Yesterday was certainly a treat for me.

After lunch I picked up my son up from my mother-in-law's house. For all you wondering why we didn't take Jared to lunch with us, it's because he already ate. Anyway, I picked him up and we went home to make this...

That, my friends, in my living room. We made a blanket hut...we pulled in all of the dining room chairs, I found every blanket in the house and we (meaning me) made this hut. Yes, that is his head poking out of the top to watch TV. I actually fell asleep while in said hut and woke up to a little boy's giggle...you know, the giggle where they think they are getting away with something. My eyes popped open and there through the blankets I can see that Jared is about to walk on top of the hut! No one was hurt in the making or use of this hut. Everyone is fine.

I love when I am gifted a few extra hours with my family. Yes, I love a good snow day to sleep in and not have to go to work, but mostly I love to be with them.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

A group of women at my school pulled together to take a self-defense class. Very interesting. Some of the things were a little scary when you think about it. One thing the instructor kept saying was, "And this is the thing that will change your life." Meaning when a person approaches you in an unfriendly manner. Then I started looking around the room and wondered, why aren't ALL of the women here. Come on, it's $50 for the knowledge to save your life. Why would you not be there? I know that you all can't be there, so I will try to teach you what I can.

How to get out of a one arm hold:If someone is holding your wrist with the opposite hand, for instance they are holding your right wrist with their left hand. Twist your wrist to the right and you will be free. I know you don't believe me, I did not believe my instructor either. But then I tried it with my partner and I was able to break away from her. Then I thought that maybe it was because she is a woman. So, I came home and tried it with my husband and I broke free from him. Yes, my husband!! My husband is no wimp.This also works if they are holding your left wrist with their right hand. In this case you will need to twist your hand to the left. Always twist it out.

If you are being held with two hand (your one wrist is being held by both of their hands): Interlace your fingers together and pull back as hard as you can (don't hit yourself in the face). You would also do this if they are holding your wrist with the same hand and you can't twist away.

Your homework assignment:Try both of these with a partner, preferably someone stronger, and see if you can get out of it. Let me know the results.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

This is my Dad. In this picture he is wearing his new hat. Wish you had one don't you? Growing up I thought that my dad was the funniest man in the world. I use to argue with my friends about whose dad was funnier. My dad is quick to laugh and make a joke. He taught me what a great sense of humor is.

Now, I am unable to write all the funny stories about my dad as they would make a book. I will give you two high school stories.

The wig story:One day when my dad was in high school he decided that he was going to wear a wig to class. He put the wig on before the teacher can into the room. Now, this wig had long hair and of course made my dad look like a girl. He sat at his desk looking down so the 'hair' would hide his face. When the teacher came into the room she asked the 'new girl' to introduce herself. My dad started laughing silently and of course it looked like the new girl was crying. The teacher came over to the desk and told her that it was okay, she should introduce herself to the class. I'm not sure what happened when my dad finally took the wig off, but I can only imagine what the teacher's thoughts were.

Graduation:My dad was in danger of not graduating high school. He was called into the principal's office during the spring of his senior year and was informed that if he missed any more days of school we would not graduate. My grandfather passed away when my dad was 16, and my grandmother always told her boys (5 boys that is) that it was their dad's wish that all of them graduate high school. Well, my dad being my dad skipped the next three days. I suppose they decided to graduate him anyway as he was the youngest of the 5 brothers and they would not have to deal with him anymore. Can you believe that he now works in that very school? Who would have thought?

Friday, October 24, 2008

When I was in high school I loved to carve pumpkins. My parents would buy those kits and I would tape the paper to the pumpkin and poke holes, the whole business. When I was done, it looked like a butchered mess to everyone but me. But then you lit it up with a candle and all became clear. Sorry about the pictures, they were in my scrapbook and I didn't want to tear the pictures out of it...

Now it's your turn. Try carving this online pumpkin. Warning...do not open at work, you will become addicted.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

We hired a new math teacher this fall, Mary. Her classroom is directly across from mine and we see each other a lot between classes, even during classes. One day I confessed to her that I loved to scrapbook. It so happens that she has a book of the first 18 years of her life. It was an assignment in one of her classes when she was a senior in high school. She was so kind as to bring it to work and let me see it. I read every word she wrote. That book is amazing. It is a 3" 3-ring binder with writings from her parents, pictures, memorabilia, and her recollection of her life up to 18 years.

As I'm reading her stories I am reminded of so many of my own. Like my friend Jason slipping on the ice in the gutter every morning when I picked him up for school. I haven't thought about that in years. Or the time when my dad was in high school and wore a wig so the teacher thought there was a new student. Or what about my entire basketball "career" in school. I never wrote any of those things down. I think I need to do this.

What a treasure that Mary has. Everything in one place. Her grandchildren will thank her for it, I'm sure.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

I took a personal day yesterday so that I could spend it with Jared. I followed him with a camera and noted the times that he did things. Here are the results...

7:40 - I woke Jared8:00 - Breakfast - waffles9:00 - 11:00 - Pre-school12:00 - Lunch at Burger King with Dad and Nanner1:30 - 4:30 - nap (This is incredibly rare that he even took a nap)5:00 - supper5:30 - Bake a cake6:00-8:00 playing trains on the floor with Mom and Dad8:00 - up to bed to read books and watch a little TV

He also spend a great deal of the day singing Old MacDonald. Here are a few of his quotes:Jared was stiring the cake batter when I put the eggs in, after a while he looked into the bowl and asked, "Where did the eggs go? Now how are we going to find them?" He threw his hands up in the air in disgust. While in a time out, between sobs he says, "Ah, tartar sauce!" - Perhaps we're watching a little too much Spongbob.

I had a great day with him. I miss him when I have to go back to work, but I know it's good for us. Come August, I think we've both had enough of each other. Those first few weeks that I went back to work he started acting out and straight out told me that he missed me. Oh, how he can break my heart.

On a totally different topic - I learned something about housework yesterday. I put off emptying the dishwasher until the afternoon. When I finally did empty it, I timed myself. And do you know what? It only took 6 minutes to empty and refill that sucker. Yes, only 6 minutes. Next time I have to empty the dishwasher I'm going to remind myself that it is only 6 minutes. Why do I spend hours with that chore looming over me?

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I'm not sure why, but the mood has stuck to let you know my pet peeves. To other people these things are nothing but they irritate me to no end.

I hate when people chew with their mouth open. It's one thing is they have a head cold and can't breath, but there are people who do it all the time. ALL THE TIME!

There are driving laws for a reason people! That stop sign, yeah that one, it means stop, not yield. Oh, and the speed limit, I guess that is just a suggestion. I hate that other people take my safety and the safety of my son in their own hands when they decide not to obey the law.

It drives me crazy when people mispronounce words. Like mattress, the word has a T in it. It's not pronounced ma-ress. The state of Illinois. For some reason the s is silent. Here's a trick my parents taught me - There's no noise in Illinois. There are other words but I can't think of them right now.

I know there are more but all I can focus on are the three I wrote about. ARGH!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

So, you are looking at the new advisor for the RAKC at my school. That's the Random Acts of Kindness Club. It happened on the very day is listed my last entry. I could use some ideas or website that have ideas. Our club has a little bit of money, but the emphasis here is low cost ideas. We're trying to start simple and grow from there.

Friday, October 17, 2008

I love to commit random acts of kindness. So simple, so easy, and the pay-off exceeds the effort. Here is a random act of kindness that I committed a few months ago and I am still feeling the high from it.

I was grocery shopping and I HATE grocercy shopping. However, I never give the chore to my husband as I am unable to give up the control as to what food enters our house. Anyway, I was done finding my purchases and got into line. As I'm standing in line with my shopping cart overflowing with food an older couple gets in line behind me with two items. I still remember those items to this day - a bag of lettuce and a can of whipped cream (kinky). So, I figure - why not?...and allowed them to get infront of me in line. As the cashier is ringing up their order I tell her to just put their stuff on my bill - she doesn't bat an eye. The older couple didn't hear what I said and stood there waiting for the total. When the cashier explain that I was paying they starting saying things like God bless you and thank you so much, when they left the store the cashier looked at me and asked, "Did you know those people?" Nope, did not know them. As I was bagging my groceries I could overhear other cashiers and customers talking about me (in a good way).

So, there it is...I paid an extra $2.50 and made an old couple happy. I doubt that I'll ever forget that experience.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Today is my husband's birthday. We don't do much for each other's birthdays. You know what, I'm very happy about this. There is just so much pressure. Why the extra effort on just one day? I've notice other couples and for some of them - it's just not a happy birthday unless their spouse went all out and killed themselves for the other's birthday. Now that's love :-)

Anyway, my husband and I have a great relationship. I feel (since I can't speak for my husband) that you need to make everyday extra special. My husband works hard and is a busy man. I don't expect him to go to great lengths for my birthday. Actually, I prefer that he doesn't.

I left little notes around the house this morning for my husband to find when he woke up. Little notes like, Happy Birthday, I love you, have a great day with my typical doodle on them. I know that he appreciated it because he called and told me. It cost me no money to write those notes. It barely took me any time. I feel that means more to him then me attempting to buy him a power tool he either already has or doesn't need - then return it to the store - to either get what he really needed or a refund. What a hassle. We buy what we need/want when we need/want/can afford it.

I remember our first Valentine's Day together - I told him weeks in advance to not buy me anything. I informed that I too would not buy anything for him. He couldn't believe it. He kept asking me Are you sure? I was getting annoyed - why couldn't he accept that I didn't want anything for Valentine's Day? Here's why...it happened to him before - he was told in a past relationship to not buy something, he followed directions and didn't buy anything, then caught heck for not buying anything. Argh...I hate women like that.

Friday, October 10, 2008

I loved Saturday mornings when I was a kid. I knew when it was a Saturday long before I knew the days of the week. Everything was different...the sun was a little brighter, my parents were more cheerful, and dance class!! I loved dance class. We sang songs like Animal Crakers in my Soup. Here are a few pictures for you to enjoy...

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I know that I mentioned in an earlier entry what great parents I have. This entry is going to help hit that idea home. Out of the blue my parents bought me a piano. It's not my birthday. It's not Christmas. It's just October. My dad did make the comment that my husband has been very helpful to them with their new home. Dan helped them with a few remodeling projects. So, the way I see it, I am rewarded with a piano because I have good taste in men. Thanks Dan!!

This picture is bad, but the lighting in my dining room isn't that wonderful.

The piano was delivered on Monday and I haven't stopped playing since. Don't let me fool you...I am not that great a player. I think I saw Dan cover his ears out of the corner of my eye one time.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

I love football...well, I use to like football...ah, who am I fooling? I hate football. At one point in my life I actually had myself convinced that I liked it. I like the idea of football. I have great memories associated with it.

For one, when I was in high school, that was the highlight of the week. I went to the games and saw all of my friends there. I went to every single football game. I know this for a fact since I was in the band. I loved Friday nights.

For two, most of my friends when I was in high school and college were guys. They watched football. If I wanted to fit in, I had to watch it too. Looking back, I don't understand why it was so important to be one of the guys. I guess maybe because I could.

For three, my mom is a fan of football, and my paternal grandmother was too. So, I thought it was in my blood. nope, it's not.

However, did you ever watch the Disney movie Invincible? It's based on a true story about Vince Papale. Love it!! Mark Wahlberg is so hot!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I love to knit. I don't watch TV anymore...well, for one I'm busy, for two I have a husband who is bigger than me, and 3 I have a toddler son who is addicted to SpongeBob. So instead, I knit. Here is a bag that I made for me, my step-daughter, a friend. I love this bag. So, much fun to make.

I have even made myself a pair of arm-warmers but I don't wear them in public since it looks like I'm wearing two casts.

Are you ready to learn how to knit? Yes, you can. I did. I had no one to sit down and show me. I just made up my mind one day and I learned how to knit from books. No, it didn't happen in one day, but it did happen. Here is where you go for all of your knitting needs.

I've been thinking. I should use this blog for good...not evil. Anyway, I've been looking for sites where I could help people out. I remember this first one from Country Mouse's husband (I use to work with him). It's called free rice. You can improve your vocabulary and feed hungry people. How great is that?